Green tea may help prevent type 1 diabetes

AUGUSTA, Ga., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- An anti-oxidant in green tea may prevent or delay the onset of type 1 diabetes, researchers at the Medical College of Georgia said.

The researchers tested EGCG, green tea's predominant anti-oxidant, in a laboratory mouse with type 1 diabetes and primary Sjogren's syndrome, which damages moisture-producing glands, causing dry mouth and eyes.

"Our study focused on Sjogren's syndrome, so learning that EGCG also can prevent and delay insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes was a big surprise," Dr. Stephen Hsu of the School of Dentistry said in a statement.

In the mouse, EGCG reduced the severity and delayed onset of salivary gland damage associated with Sjogren's syndrome, which has no known cure, Hsu said.

Both type 1 diabetes and Sjogren's syndrome are autoimmune diseases, which cause the body to attack itself, Hsu said.

Sjogren's syndrome can occur alone or secondary to another autoimmune disease, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes.

The study, published in Life Sciences, supports earlier research showing EGCG's impact on helping prevent autoimmune disease.